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William Morrissey Obituary
GOFFSTOWN -- William S. Morrissey, 84, died Jan. 8, 2009, in Elliot Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Jan. 20, 1924, to Thomas and Martha Morrissey in Andover, Mass., and attended Suffolk University and Boston College. He graduated from University of Texas-El Paso in 1941. At El Paso, he majored in radio and minored in journalism.
He served during World War II with the 150th Combat Engineer Battaillon. His unit built bridges and other structures throughout France, Germany and Czechoslavakia while trying to dodge snipers and artillery barrages. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
After the war, he worked at WKBR for 30 years as the morning show host and was known as "Mr Morning." His radio career culminated with "Bill Morrissey Day" in Manchester in 1983. He then worked as a lobbyist and public affairs coordinator for PSNH.
In 1960, Mr. Morrissey was elected as Mutual Radio Network correspondent, which allowed him to interview such notables as JFK, Jack Palance, Bill Russell, and Jimmy Hoffa. He had been a Kiwanian for years and was on the boards of the Manchester Institute of Arts and Sciences and the American Cancer Society. He was also seen regularly as co-host for the Easter Seal Telethon for 10 years.
Family members include his wife of 60 years, Sally Brown Morrissey; three daughters, Martha Wentworth of North Troy, Vt., Kathy Dickey, and Diana Shirlock of Bow; a sister, Mary; and brothers, Richard, Edward, and James.
IN HIS LIFE: He was an avid golfer, skier, and bowler. He enjoyed the times he spent with his friends in the Gaelic Society. His most cherished moments were the times he spent with his family.
Family members also include sons-in-law, Jim Wentworth of North Troy, Vt., Jon Dickey and Gary Shirlock of Bow. Bill is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Benjamin Morrissey Scannell, Caitlin Morrissey Scannell, Tori Shirlock Kloss, Keith Shirlock, Emily Shirlock, Sarah Morrissey Dickey, and Laura Morrissey Dickey and his great-grandson Patrick Kloss Jr. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed. Bill was predeceased by his daughter, Wendy Morrissey Scannell, his brothers, Walter and Thomas, and his sister, Margaret.
SERVICES: Calling hours are Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in French and Rising Funeral Home, 17 S. Mast St., Goffstown. A Mass of Christian burial is Tuesday at 10 a.m. in St. Lawrence Church. Interment will be in Westlawn Cemetery. For more information or to sign an online guest book, go to www.frenchandrising.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Easter Seals Society, 555 Auburn St., Manchester 03103.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Morrissey
July 3, 2009
Hi Dad,
I miss you so much. We all do. Em's graduation,Father's day.... the family is just not complete. Give Wendy our love. We miss you both and love you.
Love you Dad,
Kathy
Joyce (Dodge) Gullison
May 19, 2009
Dear Family Morrissey,
You have my sincerest sympathy in losing your "Bill". I remember your family from my childhood. I remember Wendy and the saddness felt at her loss.
May God comfort you.
Celia Pinheiro
January 24, 2009
Dear Sally,Martha,Dede and Kathy
I am very sad about Bill.I am very far from you,but thinking a lot about my american familly .
Sincerely
Celia Pinheiro
Tim Riley
January 22, 2009
To the Morrisey family,
I am very sad to hear of Mr. Morrissey's passing. As a young man just starting in radio at WKBR in the late 70's, he taught me many skills I still find of great value today. He will always be remembered as a gentleman.
Ginny Knoettner
January 21, 2009
Dear Sally,Kathy,Dede and Martha,
I am shocked and saddened to learn of Bill's passng after being away.What can you say about such a warm friendly guy with that strong,distinguished voice of his and that twinkle in his eyes when you spoke with him.I have fond memories and extend our most deepest sympathy to all of you at this time.
Mark and Ginny (Shepard) Knoettner
Janet Haskell
January 19, 2009
Dear Dede, Sally, Kathy & Martha,
I'm so sorry about your loss and feeling grateful that we were together in June when I was in Goffstown. Your Dad is always a king, bright light with a smile and joke to tell. We will miss him! Love, Janet
Eleanor (Clark) King
January 18, 2009
To the Morrissey Family:
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Morrissey's passing. I have some great childhood memories at the Morrissey home and he was an important part of those memories. My sympathies and prayers are with you.
January 16, 2009
Dear Sally, Kathy, Dede and Martha,
We were so sad to hear of Bill's passing. He was such a nice man, and you were all very fortunate to be able to call him your husband or dad. We have great memories of him. Please know that we are thinking of you all and are keeping you in our prayers. Love to all of you.
Duncan and Linda Simons
Jane Carr
January 15, 2009
To the Morrissey family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this sad time with the passing of your husband and father. My condolences. Jane Carr New Boston, NH
Ken Hamel
January 15, 2009
The Morrissey Family,
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Morrissey's passing. He was always kind and polite when I saw him. Diana, I do think he knew what we were up to most of the time. Respectfully.
Brenda Fletcher-Kennedy
January 15, 2009
Sally,Dede, Kathy and all your family
My sympathy to all of you for the loss of your dad and husband Bill. He lived an exceptional life and leaves behind an exceptional family and legacy. God bless you all in this difficult time.
Nancy Lindbloom
January 14, 2009
Sally and the entire Morrissey Family,
My condolences to you all. While growing up in Goffstown, you were all part of our lives. Bill will be missed as a very strong presence there. Although I have not seen Bill in a number of years, I am so blessed to have seen you, Sally, at the Hospital recently. I thank you for your visits to my Mom in her last days. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy (Ackerman) Lindbloom
Bob Molloy
January 13, 2009
Sally and Family
Since 1960 when we first met, I have had the utmost respect and admiration for Bill; not only because of his work ethic but also because both Lori and I think he was a real "classy guy". Those traits extended to his family but especially his GAL SAL.
Bob and Lori Molloy
reta macgregor
January 12, 2009
Sally and family...my sympathy to all Reta
Nicky Wyman
January 12, 2009
Aunt Sal and Everyone...I miss Uncle Bill very much. I am glad all of you have been there for all the important events in my life. I know he and Daddy are up there now looking down on us and smiling. Sorry I could not stay longer...I will see you all again soon. My love,
Nicky and Len
Laurie Stuart
January 12, 2009
To kathy, Jon and family
We are so sorry about the loss of your Dad. I only wish I had known him better. What a beautiful write up. He really was quite a guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Crissy & Mike Manning
January 12, 2009
Aunt Sal/Mimi, Dede, Kathy, Martha and families
Words cannot express how important you all have been in my life and my families' life. We have been through all of life's highs and now lows. Uncle Bill is at peace and with Daddy and Wendy and all his friends and family who were waiting for him. All my love always.
Stephen Greene
January 12, 2009
To the Morrisey family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. I was a classmate of Dianna's in Goffstown. Our prayers are with all of you during this time.
With sympathy,
Stephen Greene
Chris Jobin
January 12, 2009
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Morrissey family. I have nothing but fond memories of Bill during my brief career in broadcasting at WKBR in the early 70's. I particularly remember when working the overnight slot, jump starting Bill's show with "Taxi", "American Pie", and sometimes "Stairway to Heaven" so that the "MAN" could arrive fashionably late! Rest in peace Bill.
Monica Cobb
January 12, 2009
Kathy, John and Family,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Monica and Winston Cobb
Sheila Haskell Skeffington
January 12, 2009
Dear Morrissey Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
I can hear Bill's voice just like it was yesterday when he was on the air. You have much to be proud of and I'm sure your memories will bear that out. He will be missed by many.
January 12, 2009
To the Morrissey family,
My thoughts are with you. I had the honor of working with Bill at WKBR, he truly was one of a kind.
Gary Archambault
Paul Scannell
January 12, 2009
Sally,
Our prayers go out to you and your family. Bill was pretty cool to talk to and was fun to be around. Miss the time visiting you when I was growing up in Goffstown. Thank you very much for being patient and understanding.
Paul Scannell & family
Paul Bellefeuille (Belfay)
January 12, 2009
Sally,
My prayers are with you and your family. I had the unique pleasure to be Bill's producer on his WZID "Best Of Sinatra" show. We shared a lot of laughs and throughout our conversations I got the feeling of how happy and proud he was with his "Gal Sal" and how his family meant so much to him.
A classy guy through and through..
Jerome Duval
January 12, 2009
Sally; I send my sincerest condolences on Bills passing. He was a Manchester icon, whose name will live on for many years to come. All the best to you and your children.
Jerome Duval
Anne Sterling
January 12, 2009
To Sally and Family: It really takes me back to view this photo of Bill's handsome and smiling face. Even more so to see the twinkle in his eye and the well-earned laugh lines. It was always a pleasure to hear his deep, warm voice on WKBR. Although I appeared to be too cool to listen to the oldies station; I secretly did listen and enjoyed his show. It was such a thrill to know that he was from Goffstown and our friends' father. The joke is on me as of course I love the oldies stations now! It hurts to lose another member of the Greatest Generation, and we are all much diminished by each loss. I thought they would live forever.
With love and deepest sympathy,
Anne Sterling
Cathy Burnham Martin
January 12, 2009
Sally,
I am so sorry to learn of Bill's passing. You have always been a very special family to me.
Bill really took me under his wing in my first-ever television adventure - hosting the Easter Seals Telethon with him. He always had a knack for making things easier for everyone else.... and he truly loved the Easter Seal children.
He is at peace... and you and your family are in our hearts and prayers.
Much love,
Walter Foote
January 12, 2009
Mrs. Morrissey and Family,
I am sorry for your great loss. While I did not know Mr. Morrissey, I knew Dede very well, as we were classmates in Goffstown. Dede was one of the nicest, kindest, friendliest, engaging friends I had at Goffstown, and in Mr. Morrissey's picture, I see Dede's smile. He lived a very admirable and full life. It would have been a privilege to have known him.
With sympathy,
Walter Foote
Robin Coburn
January 12, 2009
Kathy and family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. A Dad is a precious gift, he will be deeply missed. Thinking of you all with prayer.
Robin and the Staff at Yankee Family Dialysis
Dominic Biello
January 12, 2009
Sally,
My prayers are with you and your family. I had the pleasure of working with Bill at WKBR for six years. He was a great person and a pro. Bill was Mr. Smooth and will be missed.
David Allan Boucher
January 11, 2009
Bill Morrissey was a class act. I had the honor of following him at WKBR. He was good natured, patient, and a real pro.
His humor and wit would always put me in a good mood.
I consider myself lucky to have learned so much about broadcasting from Bill.
One of the institutions of New Hampshire radio.
.
Nick Ashooh
January 11, 2009
Sally -
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. Bill was a treasure. It was such a pleasure to work with him at PSNH.
Marilyn Pettigrew
January 11, 2009
My deepest condolences to Bill's family. I met him when he read to the residents of St.Teresa's Manor in Manchester and I believe to my granddaughter's 1st grade class with Merilee Thissell at Hallsville in Manchester. He was a kind and gentle soul.
Ruth (Hoitt) Gage
January 11, 2009
Dear Sally and Family,
How sad it is to know that we have lost such a wonderful person, yet how joyous it is to be able to celebrate a wonderful life that touched so many many people. I am sure that there a lots of people who mourn today who never even met Bill in person, but who loved him just for the sound of his gentle voice and his magnificent sense of humor.
Last summer, my husband, Eddie, saw Bill several times at Easter Seals. and he remarked about how nice it was to see Bill again. Now they are both in God's hands and we will always remember and love them.
With my deepest sympathy,
CHRIS DOLAN
January 11, 2009
Bill was a great guy! I played golf at Plausawa Valley Country Club in Pembroke with Gary, Milt & Bill and he hit the ball right down the middle off the tee every time! He has a great family and will be missed! The Dolans from Hampton
Christine Rand
January 11, 2009
Sally,
On behalf of Fran & Curt Shaw, as well as ourselves, we want you to know you and Bill are in our thoughts and prayers
-Christine & Steve Rand
and
Fran & Curt Shaw
Phyllis Lenza
January 11, 2009
Dear Sally and family
I am so sorry to hear about Bill, he will be missed. We all have a lot of great memories of all the reunions of the 150th.
I am thinking of you and remembering you in my prayers
Love Phyllis Lenza(Joe Lenza's wife)
Samantha Manning
January 11, 2009
I'm glad to have known Papa Bill. In a way he was like a second grandfather to me when I was around him. He always found a way to make me laugh. I'm sorry to hear that he passed away. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Richard KATZ
January 11, 2009
Mrs. Morrissey:
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. I remember Bill visiting our store (Robards) many times as I was growing up.
Once again, our sincerest sympathies to you and your family.
Beth Courtemanche-Nickerson
January 11, 2009
Sally,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of sadness. Bill was an amazing man who lived a wonderful life. He will be deeply missed.
Paul Barrette
January 11, 2009
I had the pleasure of working with Bill at WKBR when I started my radio career in 1970. Besides being a total pro, he was one of the funniest, patient, and kindest persons I have ever met. The city of Manchester has truly lost one of the great radio legends. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Lorenzo Perry
January 11, 2009
To the "Bill Morrissey Family". I am saddened at Bills passing. He was a great friend and a super guy. Bill, it is snowing and about six in the morning, Our usual conditions of encounters, with the great outdoors over the 70's & 80's. God Bless, my friend, and Thank You for many years of help and information.. Much Love from this old man, in Goffstown. "Joe"
Joyce Engheben Haddix
January 10, 2009
Sally, I am so sorry for your loss.
Bill was a great guy and you both
were great neighbors. I visited with
Bill on my last trip from Florida. We had a nice chat and he filled me in on the girls and their children.
My dad passed in 1996 and mom in 2004. I miss them both.
Warmly,
Joyce Engheben Haddix
Alan Peduzzi
January 10, 2009
It was an honor and a pleasure to have worked with Bill. We have lost a true legend and a a great friend. My best to Sally and family.
Alan Peduzzi
Donn Parker
January 10, 2009
So many wonderful memories...so many good times...so many achievements. Bill was one of my heros. My thoughts are with Sally and the family.
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